published: Mar 13, 2025

12th hole at the Masters won’t be lengthened during Fred Ridley’s tenure

In 2024, Chairman Fred Ridley ruled out any alterations to Golden Bell during his tenure – after Vijay Singh proposed adding 10 yards to the hole

It’s triumph and disaster all twirled up together in 155 short yards. Masters dreams have lived and died at Augusta National’s iconic 12th hole.

So should it go under the architect’s knife? “That’s almost like asking, can we touch up the Mona Lisa a bit?” reckoned tournament chairman Fred Ridley addressing the topic in 2024.

But that’s exactly what one former green jacket winner proposed and caused Ridley to issue a firm slap down at his annual pre-Masters press conference.

The Augusta Chronicle reported last year that 2000 champion Vijay Singh called for an extra 10 yards to be added to Golden Bell.

“We used to hit 7-irons and 6-irons and then it started going to 7-irons and 8-irons and it’s gone from 8-irons to 9-irons and the guys are hitting wedges now,” he said.

“They should lengthen it by at least 10 yards. I think it should go to at least 170. I think it would be a much more challenging hole if people were hitting a 6-iron or a 7-iron instead of a 9-iron or wedge.”

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Augusta 12th hole: ‘It would not be lengthened during my tenure’

Ridley, though, immediately ruled out any suggestions of altering the 12th while he is in charge.

“I would say with 100 per cent certainty that it would not be lengthened during my tenure,” he explained. “That’s almost like asking, can we touch up the Mona Lisa a little bit? The 12th hole at Augusta is the most iconic par-3 in the world. It has been and I won’t say it always will be, but I think it always will be.

“I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about the topography, the trees, the wind, the beauty that just captures your imagination.

“When you combine that with the history that’s been made there – the most recent being the tragedies and triumphs when Tiger Woods won in 2019.

“Freddie Couples’ ball hanging up on the edge of Rae’s Creek, which is made part of the song “Augusta”.

“I just think it is such an iconic hole that’s had so many important moments in the Masters that I’m not sure that another 10 yards would really make a difference. Players are hitting short irons, but it doesn’t seem to matter, the hole is very difficult.”

While the Masters has seen drama at almost every corner of the golf course, moe=ments from the 12th hole could fill a motion picture or two. Ridley mentioned Couples, but golf fans might remember Jordan Spieth‘s collapse in 2016, Francesco Molinari finding the water in 2019 and Greg Norman watching on as his ball bounded into the hazard in 1996.

Now have your say on the Masters 12th hole

Would you like to see the 12th hole at Augusta National lengthened? Or should it remain untouched? Let me know your thoughts with a comment on X.

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About the author

Steve Carroll

A journalist for more than 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long.

A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A’s prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men’s Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG’s Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He’d like to tell you he floats around 10. The reality is more like 13.

Steve plays at Sandburn Hall, in York, and is a country member at Close House in Newcastle. He has served on various club committees during his time in the game, and is the current Rules Secretary at Sandburn.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NCTJ exams at Darlington College of Technology. He began his career working on weekly papers in Newcastle, before joining the York Press in 2001. After five years as a news reporter, he joined the sports desk – specialising in horse racing and snooker – and was Digital Sports Editor when he joined National Club Golfer in 2016.

What’s in Steve’s bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Odyssey 2Ball Microhinge putter.

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